Proud to be wearing clothes which came via a fairer trading platform

When we talk about Fair Trade trading these days, we tend to think in terms of food and drink products. We have perhaps become used to the idea of consuming coffee which has been brought to market via a more equal trading platform, of course, and the same applies to tea. We are familiar with bars of chocolate which carry that famous logo, not to mention bananas from South America and various Caribbean nations. All in all, the buzz about Fair Trade trading in regards to the things we eat and drink has become extremely familiar.

The same might not be said for clothing, but it’s important to remember that cotton can be bought and sold via a fairer trading platform these days. In fact, a growing number of socially aware consumers in the West have been making the switch to items made from Fair Trade trading cotton, and that has led to a sizable increase in confidence among those who grow cotton in some of the world’s poorer nations. There are some experts who are predicting a greater awareness in the coming years, and that surely has to be good news for all concerned.

Cotton is in better shape thanks to a fairer trading platform

One of the problems faced by many small-scale cotton growers is that the industry is heavily subsidised in some countries, and this inevitably keeps the world price down at an artificial level. Cotton growers in countries like Turkmenistan and Mexico have to compete with those from the USA and Australia, for example, and that means it’s rarely an easy prospect. In recent years, the issue of government subsidies has led to a great deal of international debate, and it’s a matter that doesn’t go away.

In 2002, a long-term dispute between Brazil and the USA began to simmer, and the main thrust of the debate was Brazil’s claim that export credit guarantees issued by the US government to its own growers led to unfair trading opportunities. While Brazil was at the forefront of the dissatisfaction, there were several other nations which took a more than passing interest. They included poor African countries such as Benin, Mali, Chad and Burkina Faso. Via the strategy of supporting Fair Trade trading, consumers in the West can help to improve the plight of overseas growers and, in the process, can be proud to wear garments that encouraged a fairer trading platform.

Fair Trade trading has enabled many of us to change the way we shop

There was a time when there was no suitable trading platform to give farmers and growers in underdeveloped countries a chance to find a fair deal. They would have worked extremely hard to produce their crops, often in the face of great diversity, only to find the fruits of their labours have received a somewhat meagre price. The buyers, many of whom were representing famous name, high profile multinational corporations, had their own agenda, of course, and this often led to a great deal of friction.

The recent development of Fair Trade trading has led to a greater chance of growers finding a decent deal, and in the process it has opened up a whole new way of shopping for consumers in the Western World. The days when we picked the brand of tea bags which advertised the most heavily or the coffee variety which has created the best brand awareness are in the past now, for many consumers at least. The weekly trip to the local supermarket now represents an opportunity to make the world a better place in a small way.

A trading platform that both buyers and sellers can love

Once they get used to the idea of Fair Trade trading, consumers in Europe and North America can soon get into the habit of buying with a conscience. It’s a good idea to search for the Fair Trade logo on packets of tea, jars of coffee, bags of bananas, bunches of flowers and a number of other items. It may be that more and more shoppers incorporate the purchase of more socially aware products into their weekly routines

If you are keen to find some products which have been brought to the shops via a fairer trading platform, you need to do a little research before making a purchase. There will be a number of items on the shelves, and each of them represents a better deal for the grower. Whether you are buying chocolate from the Ivory Coast, coffee from Nicaragua or tea from Sri Lanka, it will be reassuring to know that the products you are spending your money on are making a difference to the people that really matter. As well as encouraging a fairer price for the grower, this process also helps to encourage sustainability, and to ensure workers on farms are able to enjoy a better standard of living.

Luxury Getaways - Private Jet Charter Dubai

About Dubai

The second largest of the seven Emirates which make up the UAE, Dubai is the ultimate luxury travel destination, a sophisticated destination which can be easily reached on a private jet charter flight from London. Situated on the the Eastern coast, Dubai has grown from being a small pearl-fishing village to the epitome of the truly modern city. Due to it’s popularity, Dubai is known as the ‘unofficial’ capital of the UAE, but has also earned other accolades too  - ‘City of Gold’ and the ‘Desert Miracle’ among other glowing descriptions.

www.privatejetcentral.ae

Private Jet Charter Dubai

Getting a private jet charter flight to Dubai has never been easier - and Dubai is ideally situated to be the hub of regional, international finance, education, entertainment and a mecca for fashion and shopping. Well-known for it’s ability to create mind-boggling structures, Dubai has created some of the city’s most iconic and unique buildings to visit. Included in these is the Burj el Arab - the tallest and most expensive hotel in the world, the Emirate Towers, a man-made collection of islands located just off the coast of Dubai, and of course, The Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest man-made construction in the world. The height of the building can’t be truly understood until visitors have taken a journey to the top (not literally - you can only proceed so far up the tower) to really get a sense of how far the Burj Khalifa towers over buildings. Other structures look like lego in comparison. Dubai also likes to challenge the rules of nature in other terms - the city is also home to the first underwater hotel.

www.privatejetcentral.flights

As mentioned, Dubai is also the ultimate to hop on a quick flight to do a little shopping over the course of a weekend. Most fashionistas are likely to make a bee-line for the Mall of the Emirates - which is home to all global and local fashion labels alike, from the favourite high street shops you’d expect to find in any self-respecting modern city and also some of the most exclusive and prestigious labels around. In a vastly changing city scape, it would be easy to imagine that the old will quickly vanish below the increasingly astonishing sky-scrapers. Not so, the old and new are equally accommodated, for instance Dubai has traditional souks which offer a completely different shopping experience.

The city is also the hub of tourism and transport for the UAE and has something to offer every visitor, from passengers wishing to connect to other flights in the region, or experience one of the many sight-seeing adventures the city has to offer. The intrepid can select from dune-bashing and nature watching in the ever-present desert, or practise or perfect the art of water sports.

How Long does a private jet charter flight to Dubai take?

Aa private jet charter flight from London takes roughly around 5-6 hours, flights can now be booked online or by phone.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFGeH-bB8pI

Links: http://www.visitdubai.com/en

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Tourism-g295424-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai-Vacations.html

http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/dubai-uae-dub-dubai.htm

Musicals Are Still Making Their Mark in London

London’s West End has always staged a lively selection of musicals, and in recent years the genre has been given a further lease of life by the popularity of shows featuring the work of a single artiste or band. There is still plenty of room for the likes of Billy Elliot, Cats and Les Miserables, along with revived classics such as High Society, Guys and Dolls and Gypsy, but the shows that are really wowing audiences are what are being coined as  ‘Jukebox Musicals’.

Extending The Run of American Idiot Underlines the Importance of Musicals

The latest West End success to get the audience dancing in their seats is American Idiot, showing at the Arts Theatre.  This lively, enigmatic show is based around the Green Day album of the same name which was released in 2004. The central themes of urban disaffection, drugs and friendship underpin the plot, but it is ultimately the power of the music that shines through and makes this show such a hit. Although Green Day may not necessarily reflect the tastes of the average British theatre-goer, the success of the run highlights the fact that there’s plenty of room for everyone in a West End audience.

http://artstheatrewestend.co.uk/whats-on/

The success of the Abba showcase ‘Mama Mia!’ and ‘Jersey Boys’, which tells the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, underlines what can be achieved with a set list of exceptional songs and a cast capable of bringing them to life. The inherent feel-good factor of shows that tell a story through a montage of hit records resonates with audiences who can connect with music that is already familiar in an entirely new way.  In this way, Jukebox Musicals provide an escape to a bygone world and in the case of Mamma Mia! we get the chance to savour some classic Abba songs against the backdrop of a beautiful Greek island. What’s not to like?

Of course, this type of show is nothing new - The Buddy Holly Story was a mainstay of the West End throughout the 1990s – but their recent success has catapulted the genre to the forefront of the box office. A simple look at the current London listings reveals ever more examples of the Jukebox Musical, including Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Let It Be, based on some of the best Beatles offerings and Sunny Afternoon, which features the music of The Kinks. While nostalgia may be one of the main draws of such shows, they also highlight the fact that for many people you just can’t beat live music.

There would have been a time when it was difficult to imagine an entire show based on the songs of a single act, but in truth any singer or band with a sufficiently large back catalogue could be the feature of a West End show. Many of the more recent pop chart success stories could be translated to a live theatre show, including perhaps the likes of Amy Winehouse, Rihanna and Beyoncé.  It’s not too difficult to picture a show based on the in-fighting, controversy and showmanship of Oasis, if only because at the heart of the performance will be some of the most memorable rock songs of the past two decades.

Long live nostalgia!

Footnote:

The arts in all forms continue to thrive in London, and it’s often made possible only with the support and patronage of many groups, organisations and private individuals who share their passions in the most practical of ways.   Organisations such as The Tate Foundation, which include figures such as Sir John Ritblat, Lady Ritblat, Sasan Ghandehari and John Porter, ensure that the capital will remain a center of artistic excellence for generations to come. 

http://www.artnews.com/top200/yassmin-and-sasan-ghandehari/

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article4499559.ece

http://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/support-and-donate/ual-development-council/

http://www.tate.org.uk/download/file/fid/51351

5 Must-See London Art Exhibitions This Summer

As a city packed full of wondrous art, culture, architecture and design, London is bursting with some of the greatest art galleries, museums and exhibitions in the world.  So art lovers are spoiled for choice with a full range inspirational art exhibitions and displays to visit this summer.

To help you along in deciding just where you may want to visit, here are is a selection of some of the must-see exhibitions:

Sculpture in the City

Square Mile

August 2015 – June 2016

The magnificent outdoor exhibition of artwork by some of the world’s most renowned artists returns this August with a free display that puts a series of contemporary art pieces in the heart of London’s Square Mile.

It includes the striking “Charity”, by world famous artist Damien Hirst, which features a giant sculpture of a girl holding a teddy, stood atop a charity collection box, located outside one of London’s most iconic architectural landmarks, The Gherkin.

Other artists to feature their work in Sculpture in the City this year include Adam Chodzko, Bruce Beasley, Laura Ford and Kris Martin.

http://www.arts.ac.uk/alumni-and-friends/support-and-donate/ual-development-council/

Duane Hanson

Serpentine Sackler Gallery

2 June 2015 – 13 September 2015

The intriguing and eerily realistic work by late US sculptor, Duane Hanson, is brought to life by his exceptional ability to turn the completely mundane into works of art.  

Highlights of his 40-year career include the portrayal of working class Americans going about their daily business, showing members of society who are often overlooked or who ‘didn’t stand out’, immortalised in fibreglass and bronze fabrications. The exhibition is the first survey show in London since 1997, the year after Hanson’s death in 1996.

The exhibition has been hailed as “the one that will stop visitors in their tracks” and is certainly worth a look over the summer months.

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/arts/visualarts/article4499559.ece

Carsten Holler: Decision

Hayward Gallery – Southbank Centre

10 June – 6 September 2015

Enjoy the chance to really become part of the art you are seeing.  As the name of this interactive exhibition suggests, ‘Decision’ immerses visitors in a series of experimental environments from the very start.

It’s an intriguing look at human perception and decision making which begins with a choice of entrances to the exhibition and then includes darkened corridors, spiral slides and the chance to fly over Waterloo Bridge.

Carsten Holler is a Belgian artist, born to German parents, who began his early career as a scientist. This is evident in his vision of museums and galleries as a place of experimentation, which continues with the playful ‘Decision’ – the artist’s largest survey show in the UK to date.

Ravilious

Dulwich Picture Gallery

28 July – 30 August 2015

Dulwich Picture Gallery’s fantastic selection of more than 80 paintings by Eric Ravilious includes famous works such as ‘Train Landscape’ and ‘Westbury Horse’ as well as works from private collections which give an inspiring insight into his oeuvre from the mid-1920s up to his death in 1942.

Separated into six subject areas which were of particular interest to the artist throughout his career, the exhibition offers a view into the enchanted world of Ravilious’ mystical and magical mind, while giving visitors the chance to look deeper into the message they portray.

Agnes Martin

Tate Modern

3 June – 11 October

The evocative and mesmerising paintings by the American abstract painter Agnes Martin are beautifully presented in this exhibition at the Tate Modern, which is the first retrospective of her work to be shown since 1994.

The subtle pencil lines and pale colour washes show the artist’s conviction in the emotive and expressive power of art which spanned the several decades of her career.

The exhibitions continue a summer of bringing the arts as far into the public domain as possible, with organisations such as UAL working hard to keep London at the forefront of world art with the support of patrons and collectors such as Michael Goedhuis, Deirdre Hopkins JP, Nigel Hurst and Sasan Ghandehari and Yassmin Ghandehari.

http://www.artnews.com/top200/yassmin-and-sasan-ghandehari/

Take advice and find the landlords insurance London people trust

It’s a long-standing dream for many people to own a property portfolio, but if they don’t find the type of landlord buildings insurance London can rely on that dream can become something of a nightmare. Property ownership can be a wonderfully profitable journey, of course, and it brings with it a great many rewards, but it has to be done properly from the first moment onwards. If it isn’t, it could lead to a series of major issues and a lifetime of stress-related headaches. To put it simply, you have to have an insurance policy that you can trust.

The UK’s iconic capital represents a wonderful area of investment for the budding property owner, but without adequate landlords buildings insurance London can be something of a graveyard for investors who began the journey with hope in their hearts and a smile on their faces. In the heart of the largest and most exciting city in the country, there is money to be made, without a doubt, but there are still too many under-prepared and somewhat naïve investors who end up losing all they had. Thankfully, there is plenty of good advice and guidance freely available.

Listen to those who know about the landlords insurance London can provide

With several providers looking to supply you with a policy that will cover you against a number of potential outcomes, you have to make sure that you understand the small print. We all hope to find the best landlord buildings insurance London has to offer, but without some much-needed guidance the quest could come to nothing. And this is one area in which you need to either do the homework that needs to be done or have someone close to hand on whose advice you can trust.

Given the fact that property ownership in London can turn out to be such a lucrative option, you can understand why many individuals, syndicates and organisations are looking to invest here. There is money to be made, of course, and some investments can produce spectacular profits, but it isn’t a licence to print money. A great deal of care still needs to be taken, and this begins with the planning stage. Those who invest for the sake of it can end up losing in a most dramatic way, but those who take care and make sure all their bases are covered are likely to enjoy long-term benefits.

Don’t forget the commercial property insurance London can rely on

If you have ever thought about investing in bricks and mortar, you should bear in mind the fact that when it comes to commercial insurance London leads the way. The UK’s highly impressive capital represents a golden opportunity for major investment, as long as you do all you can to protect your purchase. To put it simply, if you don’t have an adequate level of cover for all potential eventualities, you may find that in the end you lose money rather than create it. There is plenty that can go wrong, of course, especially in such a large and bustling city.

Over the years, a growing number of investors from all over the world have chosen to spend some or even all of their money in the UK. Those that have done well here have always made sure that the best commercial property insurance London has to offer is in place before anyone occupies the building. With so many issues to take care of, an investor could perhaps be forgiven for forgetting to seek out the ideal policy, but this is an issue that needs to be given high priority as soon as is practically possible.

When it comes to commercial insurance London investors have plenty of choice

There are so many areas of London which are perfect for investment, including many locations in the outlying suburbs. Perhaps the most prominent of these is Croydon to the south of the city, a once-quiet backwater in Surrey but now something of a boom-town in its own right. In recent times, a growing number of investors have chosen to sink their money into some highly important office blocks which have attracted several high profile names in the world of business. When it comes to finding commercial property insurance London investors aren’t just interested in the centre of the city.

While many investors in the UK’s capital are British, there are many more from all over the world. In recent times, several Russian and Chinese corporations have invested in London, and of course this thriving metropolis has been popular with Middle East investors for a long time. In years to come, no doubt there will be men and women from other regions too, all looking to maximise an investment in the British property scene. It could be that one day all roads lead to London, and for the UK’s commercial market this surely has to be a good thing.